Saints

I don’t often share my bisexual identity as a pastor; it doesn’t seem relevant. But this week I’ve been inspired by two stunning examples in the pantheon of queer ordained clergy. As we prepare to celebrate our first Pride service on Sunday, I encourage you to look up these two amazing individuals.

The Reverend Pauli Murray spent much of her life organizing against racism and sexism as an African-American, nonbinary and same-gender loving individual. After being denied from the University of North Carolina in the 1930s due to her race, and from Harvard University in the 1940s due to her sex, Pauli went on to organize with the NAACP and work as a lawyer focusing on civil rights cases. In 1977, she became the first Black woman to be ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church.

And a second faith hero for the ages is the modern-day saint Fr. Mychal Judge, a gay Catholic priest and chaplain for the New York City Fire Department. Father Mychal strove to see Christ in everyone, especially the LGBTQ community and folks experiencing homelessness. He died in the September 11th terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001. In his last moments, he was seen helping other victims, praying for the dead, and begging for God’s intervention in the tragedy.

Sexuality and gender were not the whole of who these saints were. But being open and not overlooking these aspects of their identity can help us create a church where everyone knows they belong. A huge thanks to the queer folks and allies who have moved our church along in our journey toward becoming a church for all!

with love, Pr. Chelsea